The prestigious WPT Prime Cyprus Championship with a $1,100 buy-in has reached its thrilling finale. From a massive field of 953 entries, only the last 8 players remain in the hunt for the title. Each finalist is guaranteed a minimum prize of $19,300, while the champion is set to receive $171,600, which includes a $10,400 ticket to the WPT World Championship finale at Wynn Las Vegas.

Leading the final table is Said Tahar, who is demonstrating a dominant performance, holding nearly twice the chips of his nearest rival, Andreas Christodoulo. Joining them in the final eight are Bora Kurtulus, Ivelin Kolev, Sergiu Cornea, Joseph El Khoury, renowned Swedish poker veteran Johan Storakers, and the short-stacked Ismail Yagci.

Current Standings in the WPT Prime Cyprus Championship:

Prize Table:

Sources: WPT, YouTube

What happens when the game that gave you freedom no longer inspires you the way it once did? In the premiere episode of Face Up with Ivy Teves, Nipun Java opens up about his journey from engineer to professional poker player, making WSOP history, and the changing relationship with a game that shaped his life.

Beyond the bracelets and tournament results, Nipun reflects on the obsession that drove his early career and what happened when that passion began to fade. He shares why mental resilience matters so much in poker, how younger players approach the game without fearing its biggest names, and why studying when you’re winning can be just as important as working through a downswing.

The conversation also moves beyond the table: meaningful travel, authentic connections, finding a daily routine, and exploring a future that doesn’t revolve around the next tournament. If you’ve ever lost motivation for something you once loved, questioned your career path, or wondered what comes after achieving your goals, this conversation will resonate beyond poker.

In this episode:

• From engineering to professional poker

• Making history as the first India-born WSOP bracelet winner

• The friendships behind his favourite poker memory

• Confidence, mental resilience, and handling losses

• Losing the urge to grind and finding new interests

• Identity, freedom, and life beyond poker

Face Up with Ivy Teves brings you honest conversations with the people behind the poker results. Subscribe to SpadePoker for more episodes, player interviews, tournament coverage, and stories from across the poker world.

Read the accompanying article:

https://www.spadepoker.com/en/news/nipun-java-on-face-up-historic-bracelet-loss-of-motivation-and-life-after-poker/

Alan Keating isn't fond of folding, and it shows at the table. Check out a selection of his wildest hands from the first season of The Big Game on Tour, where he goes up against Phil Hellmuth, Jennifer Tilly, and Lex Veldhuis. Massive pots, bold moves, and dramatic clashes demonstrate why Keating is a player you don't want to face at the table.

The fifth event of the prestigious Poker Masters 2026 series is wrapping up at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. Event #5: $10,500 NLH saw 85 entries, with a prize pool reaching $850,000.

The final day kicks off with the last 7 players, each guaranteed at least $34,000. The overall winner will take home the trophy and a prize of $229,500.

Leading the charge is Spanish poker sensation Adrian Mateos, who has a chance to overcome a frustrating start to the series, where he finished on the bubble in three out of four events and came in second in one event.

Challenging him for the title are some big names from the American scene. Coming in second is Poker Hall of Fame inductee Nick Schulman, followed by Jeremy Becker. Martin Zamani and Robert French are close behind. Keith Lehr and short stack Matthew Wantman round out the final seven.

Current Standings in Event #5: $10,500 No-Limit Hold'em Poker Masters 2026

Prize Table:

Sources: PGT, YouTube